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Read to Learn!

Reading to learn is much different from reading for fun. 

When reading to learn, expect to take more time. 
  • Carefully think about the information you are reading. 
  • Ask yourself questions.  Who?  What?  When?  Where?  How? 
  • These questions help you understand and remember the information.

Steps for reading a textbook:

         1.  Skim the pages you will be reading to get a general idea of what the reading is about.
  • Read the introduction and headings.
  • Read the summary.
  • Look at any pictures, charts, graphs and illustration
2.  Read the assigned pages carefully.  Look for the main ideas.

3.  Pause periodically to think about what you have read.
  • What are the main ideas?
  • What other information is important to remember?
4.  After reading a passage, pretent that you are explaining what you have just read to someone else.  Better yet, with your teacher's permission, actually explain the information to a classmate.

6 Traits of Reading

Six traits of reading provides another way to interact with material that you read. 
When you really get into what you read, you will learn much more.
Read the Lines
 Conventions - Use the Signs
What kind of text is this?

Comprehension - Get the Message
What is this text about?
Read Between
the Lines
 Context - See the Big Picture
What is the bigger picture that helps explain the ideas and concepts in the text?

Interpretations - Make a Case
What questions do I have for this text?
Read Beyond
the Lines
 Synthesis - Form Ideas into Shape
What else can I compare this text to?

Evaluation - Judge and Critique
What is my judgement of this text?
For more information:
Homework Center - Reading Textbooks
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